Roy Huff | Author Spotlight | Roy Huff is my guest today on the blog. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him a little through our conversations. I’m happy to welcome him to the blog.
Roy has overcome many, many obstacles to become a well-rounded, educated, interesting man. Read on to discover more about his life, his books, and how he plans to keep improving. Further down in this post, you will find an in-depth interview with him, as well as links to his books.
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About Roy Huff
Roy Huff is a Hawaii-based author, research scientist, and teacher. At a young age, he struggled in a family plagued by severe poverty and mental illness. After high school, he moved to the islands and hasn't looked back.
He's since earned five degrees, worked on projects forecasting Kilauea volcanic emissions, and trained on geostationary satellites for NASA's GOES-R Proving Ground. He stumbled into writing, but what he didn't stumble into is his love for all things science fiction and fantasy. Later, he contributed a series of fiction and non-fiction books as well as widely shared posts on how to design life on your terms.
Despite his challenging youth, he embraces optimism, science, and creativity. He still dreams of traveling into space and circumnavigating the globe. But until then, he makes Hawaii his home, where he creates new worlds with the stroke of a pen. And he hopes you'll come along for the amazing ride.
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Everville: Books 1-4 Boxed Set by Roy Huff Published by Independent on 05/15/2020
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Short Stories, Single Author Anthology, Young Adult
Format: eBook
Pages: 800
Buy on AmazonTHIS BOXED SET INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING FULL-LENGTH NOVELS:
Everville: The First Pillar:
Owen Sage is the emblematic college freshman at Easton Falls University. With all the worries about his first year in college, he was not prepared for what would happen next. His way of life was flipped upside down when he mysteriously crossed into another dimension, into the beautiful land of Everville. His excitement was abruptly halted when he discovered that there was a darkness forged against both the natural world, which he knew well and the new land which he discovered, Everville. With a race against time to save both worlds, his short time at Easton Falls did not quite prepare him for the evil, dark forces he must fight in order to conquer The Other In Between.Everville: The City of Worms:
College freshman Owen Sage has just started to understand the darkness trying to overtake Everville and the earthly realm. With the help of The Keeper and the Fron army, Owen has managed to buy some time, but new problems have already emerged, new secrets need to be revealed, and the race against time to stop Them from conquering both dimensions has only just begun. The Keeper, Owen Sage, and his friends at Easton Falls University must now battle threats from within. To do it, they must reunite with familiar creatures and join forces with new ones as they navigate their journey to the truth that awaits them in Everville.Everville: The Rise of Mallory, 2014 Readers' Favorite Silver Medal Winner!
As the epic journey continues, a victorious Owen Sage stands undefeated against his enemies. His last battle in Everville gave rise to a new insidious evil, Mallory, whose determination to defeat him opens an unexplored Pandora's box. Owen's search for truth will unveil the mystery and surprising insights surrounding himself and his friends at Easton Falls University. New creatures will be uncovered, and the true value of friendship will be tested, as Owen embarks on yet another battle in Everville.Everville: The Fall of Brackenbone, 2015 Genre Fiction Honorable Mention Writer's Digest Award Winner!
Two very different worlds, Easton Falls University and the magical realm of Everville, are in dire need of a hero. Owen Sage embarks on an epic journey of monumental proportions to save these worlds, all while fighting to keep the world within himself intact. This quest is not for the faint of heart, nor is it for the weak of mind—only the bravest will succeed. Discovering the well-kept secret of The Fourth Pillar of Truth is only part of the feat. Owen will have to outwit the ever-powerful villain Governor Jahal and overcome countless other challenges along the way. Amongst all of the dragons, giants, and grand chaos, will Owen's acquired skills and wisdom be enough to save both worlds or will peril be the ultimate fate of all?
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Everville: Books 1-4 Boxed ...Shop on Amazon 
Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Ke...Shop on Amazon 
Everville: The First PillarShop on Amazon
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Roy Huff | Author Spotlight | Featuring Everville 4 Book Boxed Set
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Author Interview:
What inspired you to write in this genre?
I’ve always been a fan of science fiction and fantasy. I grew up in a very poor household with a lot of serious personal issues. For me, speculative fiction was both an escape and an opportunity to view the future through a different lens. In Kentucky, it was Wonder Woman, The Million Dollar Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Ultra Man. As I grew up, it became Amazing Stories, The Twilight Zone, and Star Trek.
In reading, fantasy drew me in. I consumed authors like C.S. Lewis, Lloyd Alexander, Madeleine L’Engle, and Jules Verne. I still enjoy a good horror, dark fantasy, or dystopian sci-fi story like Hunger Games, but science fiction stories like Star Trek were often optimistic visions of what the future could be like. Fiction is often a reflection of society, but it’s also used as social commentary and an opportunity to see what’s possible absent existing societal and technological constraints. This is especially true now with the advent of Covid-19. Writing and reading fiction gives people a chance to delve into different possible realms. This is partly why I gravitated towards fantasy and more optimistic sci-fi both in reading, writing, and watching.
If an author fictionalized your life, in which genre would the story belong?
There is a huge separation in my life between what I’ve experienced and what I’ve thought and accomplished. For those who don’t know, my early childhood was mired by extreme poverty and abuse. Family members in my life struggled and still struggle from serious mental illness. Both my father and grandfather suffered from severe bipolar disorder and contributed to their deaths.
My grandfather was a Korean war hero who took up robbery once he returned home. He was arrested for robbing an armored car and later killed by a security guard in prison during a prison riot on the day of his expected release. My father struggled with life as a gay man in the early eighties. When I was in eighth grade, I learned he was HIV positive. Unfortunately, he lost his battle on Father’s Day when I was twenty-one.
Human drama would be a good summation of most of my life. But my thought life would definitely fall into science fiction or fantasy. I believe I’ve been able to achieve many of my dreams. And to some extent, that feels like a fantasy. Many of the technologies and advances are a realization of some of those science fiction ideas I read and watched as a kid.
From what I’ve seen in human history, it’s been a positive arc towards a more tolerant, productive, and less violent society. I know many people may disagree with that view, but the statistics are clear. I think optimism and later a growth mindset propelled me to accomplish great things. I think the future looks even brighter and that view is reflected in much, though not all, of my fiction.
Roy Huff is also the author of the hit book Think Smart, Not Hard: 52 Key Principles to Success and Happiness
Do you have a set writing schedule?
When I first began writing, I was a marathon writer during my break time but took long stretches off. I’ve changed that in the past few years to write more frequently and earlier in the day. This was mainly due to my increased travel since my usual writing times were no longer available. The upside of writing daily is creating a consistent habit. Now, I typically write a little or a lot in the morning before I do much of anything else. I’ll edit, outline, and research later in the day.
Do you need silence to write, or can you work in any environment?
I prefer silence in an isolated environment, but it’s not strictly necessary. Focus is more important, so turning off notifications and setting a timer are more helpful than completely eliminated all outside noise.
What is your favorite type of music?
Top forty and classic rock are my go-to genres. Recently, though, I’ve cut down my music consumption dramatically in favor of audiobooks and podcasts during my commute and other free time.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I was born in Virginia, lived my early childhood in Kentucky. During that time, my mother told me I wanted to be a clown, but I remember clearly at age four when I decided I wanted to be a meteorologist. I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina when I was six. While in Charlotte, I met the chief meteorologist, Ray Boylan, who was one of the early people to fly into the eye of a hurricane. I remember Hurricane Hugo vividly in 1989 when the eye of the storm when directly over our apartment. Ray told me he went to the University of Hawaii, and the dream of Hawaii stuck in my head from age ten.
At seventeen, I moved to Hawaii for college, and I’ve lived there ever since. My dream got derailed initially, but at age thirty, I went back to school and earned five degrees in six years. Ironically, it was while working on the fourth degree that I fell into writing while taking an English course and completing a creative writing assignment. The assignment later became my fantasy series Everville.
In my mid-thirties I had to opportunity to fulfill my lifelong dream and worked as a research meteorologist at the University of Hawaii and on geostationary satellites for a NASA and NOAA grant. I worked in that field for just under four years and was even fortunate to co-author a peer-reviewed paper and contribute to the development of a volcanic smog modeling tool still widely used in the islands. Once the NASA grant concluded, I began teaching. Now my day job is a high school science teacher.
Roy Huff | Author Spotlight
Do you have a hobby you would like to share with us?
Hiking, movies, audiobooks, reading, writing, and travel are my biggest hobbies. Recently, I’ve done a lot of traveling to Europe and Asia. With Covid-19, my trip to Milan for Spring Break was canceled as well as my summer trip to Japan. I’m hoping to get out there somewhere in July if travel restrictions ease. I haven’t been able to see any movies in the theatre since the lockdown, but drive-thru theatres are making a comeback, so maybe I’ll check out one of those soon.
It helps to live in Hawaii. Even during the lockdown, exercise and walking by the beach has been allowed in Honolulu, so I’ve done that as much as possible. Having things limited or restricted highlights the value of certain activities and the reasons one has to be grateful. Once the restrictions are completely lifted, I plan to take advantage of those even more.
As an adult, especially recently, I’ve had the opportunity to do what I could only dream of as a kid. Les Brown said, “Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” I plan to live my dreams and make the most of what’s available.
What do you read for pleasure?
I’ve read a lot of Space Opera recently. I’m reading classic science fiction and fantasy. I read best-sellers, motivational nonfiction, books on writing, and popular fiction in general.
Do you have a favorite snack or beverage while you are writing?
Coffee is the only thing I usually drink while writing. I drink vanilla macadamia nut Kona blend with two sugars and nonfat milk.
Who has influenced your writing the most?
It terms of prose, I’d say Stephen King. I’ve read, watched, and studied many of his works. I’ve listened to On Writing many times and have taken his minimalist approach to adverbs to heart. I’m also more of a “panster” like King, but I’m not a situational writer. My stories tend to be more plot-heavy. As far as theme and plot, I’d say it’s a combination between J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Gene Roddenberry.
Is there anything you would like my readers to know about you and your book?
I have so many projects coming out in the next year. As far as my fantasy Everville, I’m excited to have the boxed set now include four in the series, including Everville: The Fall of Brackenbone, which received a great blurb from Hugo Award finalist and Dune co-creator Bryan Herbert. There is one more book in the series I expect to publish in about nine months.
In the meantime, I’m working on the audiobooks for the award-winning books three and four in the series, which I’d previously held off on completing due to contractual issues with my former literary agent. Lots of exciting developments are rolling out over the next few months. I’m also extremely thrilled about my new time travel book, Time Traveler: The Loop Back, which is scheduled for a late June release. And I’m equally excited about my upcoming space opera series and have received wonderful feedback for my free short, Salvationship .
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Roy Huff | Author Spotlight | Featuring Everville 4 Book Boxed Set
Everville: Books 1-4 Boxed ...Shop on Amazon Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Ke...Shop on Amazon Everville: The First PillarShop on Amazon
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